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health insurance for self employed people
Individual policies are most often sold to self-employed and professional people. The amount of the benefit relates to earnings and is matched as close to after tax income as possible. Generally it is up to 60% of monthly net income and there is usually a cap on the amount.
When applying for a contributory group plan, the employer needs to solicit enough employees to demonstrate to the insurer that a sufficient percentage want the coverage and are willing to pay a share of the premium. For a non-contributory plan, 100% of the eligible employees must be included.
Another possibility is obtaining coverage through an association. Many trade and professional associations offer their members health coverage—often HMOs—as well as basic hospital-surgical policies and disability and long-term care insurance. If you are self-employed, you may find association membership an attractive route.
Almost all fee-for-service plans apply managed care techniques to contain costs and guarantee appropriate care; and an increasing number of managed care plans contain fee-for-service elements. While the distinctions among plans are growing increasingly blurred, the number of options available to consumers increases every day.
COBRA requires that some group health plans offer a continuation of coverage at group rates or slightly higher to departing employees for up to 18 months. For dependents of deceased employees and in some other special cases, continuation of coverage can last for up to 36 months.
If you are in that “no mans land” where you do not yet qualify for Medicare, Medicaid or any of the other social programs yet are too old for individual coverage you might take a look at AARP. It can provide a stop gap for that period of time while you are waiting to qualify for assistance.
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